370z Vs. 335i

alan93rsa · 02-21-2009, 12:28 PM

I had an 08 335i 6 speed coupe which I traded for my 370Z touring/sport/6 speed. Both cars red/black. I parked next to the Z when I picked up the car. The 335i has nice clean lines, mine was equipped with the factory aero package. However, the Z just generates more excitement. Z wins.

Comparisons:

Ride on the highway: The 335i wins hands down, much quieter. A great touring car. 335i wins

Ride on the twisties: While the 335i will put a grin on your face the 370Z is an ear to ear smile. Z wins

Transmissions: The 335i has a great transmission with smooth easy engagements. After about an hour in the 370Z I couldn't believe how much fun it was to run up and down through the gears. Z wins

Stowage: Not even a contest. 335i wins

Economy: On cruise at 65-70 mph I could get 30 mpg with the 335i. Same scenario with the Z I get a little over 26. 335i wins

Need to take more than one person with you: 335i wins

Cabin noise: The 335i was extremely quite. I found myself driving in 5th when I should have been in 6th or more than one occasion. There is no doubt as to what type surface your driving on in the Z! 335i wins

Exhaust note: The 335i exhaust was pretty quite. The stock Z exhaust has a much nicer note in the car, I can hear it. Z wins

Cost of mods: It doesn't take long to run up a large bill with the 335i. I suspect comparable parts will be cheaper for the Z. Z most likely wins.

Cost to add 50-75 hp: The 335i wins this one hands down.

If an only car: Depends on how much space you need.

Final thought, BMW has been shown of late to be very picky on car modifications of any type. It's like having Big Brother in your hip pocket.

Those are my thoughts having owned both cars. Hope it helps.

BTW, I am extremely happy with the Z. I'd do it again in a heart beat!

Alan

Mental Block · 02-21-2009, 02:16 PM

No offense to bossman, but you seem a little obsessed about your car being a "chick magnet". You've already made a thread on this. Any girl worth keeping isn't going to want to be with you because of what you drive.

Crash · 02-22-2009, 02:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mental Block

No offense to bossman, but you seem a little obsessed about your car being a "chick magnet". You've already made a thread on this. Any girl worth keeping isn't going to want to be with you because of what you drive.

+1 THE MORAL OF THE STORY RIGHT HERE!

Please... Stop with these "Girls + Cars" and "BMW vs. the world" theads!

sbkim · 02-21-2009, 02:23 PM

Alan -

Great comparison - Thank you.

How would you compare accerleration between the two cars? I presume they are about equal?

bossman · 02-21-2009, 02:27 PM

women aren't the only important thing.. but you guys can't deny that sex appeal is important. i mean obviously i want myself to win over a girl before she even sees my car, but i mean the way i look at it.. which one would be the icing on the cake? 335i

SoCal 370Z · 02-21-2009, 02:37 PM

bossman,

Are you interested in purchasing a 370Z, or what? If you were to add up your posts statically you have already made-up your mind on a BMW—that's what you should purchase.

Just remember years from now, when you are divorced because the woman that married you, married you for your car that the 370Z would have made your life significantly happier, and without the alimony!

k.alexander · 02-21-2009, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCal 370Z

bossman,

Just remember years from now, when you are divorced because the woman that married you, married you for your car that the 370Z would have made your life significantly happier, and without the alimony!

bossman · 02-21-2009, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCal 370Z

bossman,

Are you interested in purchasing a 370Z, or what? If you were to add up your posts statically you have already made-up your mind on a BMW—that's what you should purchase.

Just remember years from now, when you are divorced because the woman that married you, married you for your car that the 370Z would have made your life significantly happier, and without the alimony!

my wife's gonna sign a pre-nup hahaha

Namir · 02-21-2009, 03:31 PM

Thanks for the review Alan.
Were you leasing your 335 or did you purchase it? If you purchased I'm just wondering how easy it was to sell/trade and whether you felt it was good value for a 1-2 year old car.

Also, did you have any issues with your BMW while you had it?

alan93rsa · 02-21-2009, 04:40 PM

Follow-up:

Sorry, left out the acceleration. The 335i has more grunt down low which is a given. So it is a great car around town. But the Z pulls pretty hard and just feels better going through the range. The sound, the gears the seating just adds up to great package. You feel more involved.

On the value side. I ended up with what I thought was a good deal for my car. I believe if were to trade again next year I would NOT lose as much with the Z. In particular considering the economy. My car was a purchase not a lease. What is funny is that my BMW salesman called me this morning wanting to know what kind of car I am buying. It seems that BMW financial calls the selling dealer to alert them that a non BMW dealer has requested payoff information on the account. My salesman was pretty hot to get a ride in the Z.

One other item. I have raced with PCA and HSR along with working with a lot of clubs at numerous tracks over the years. I can't wait to get the Z to Mid-Ohio. Never tracked the 335i. It just didn't stir the emotions enough to go through the effort.

sbkim · 02-21-2009, 05:56 PM

Ex 335 owner here as well and can certainly attest to values held by 335. Sold my 2007 coupe a little over a year later with 10k miles for $42k which was not too far from the original purchase price. Then again, I sold my 335 in 2007 when the market was slightly better

SoCal 370Z · 02-21-2009, 06:37 PM

The problem with this thread is that there is simply not enough data to even make a serious comparison on several levels. The 370Z has not been out long enough to determine residual value, and a slew of so many other factors. Until owners have put some serious miles on the new 370Z, and the known service bulletins crop-up, along with anything else that might yield itself mechanically, there is no real way to start making a comparative analysis about matters. Sure there are the physical dimensions, and other specs, but that's it. Also, this thread is getting to be more about "perceived" status versus an enthusiast take. An enthusiast doesn't care much about such matters as they do about what the car can do and yield to its "owner" and not others.

02-21-2009, 02:16 PM	#2 (permalink)
Mental Block Base Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 94 Drives: '03 Redline 350Z Rep Power: 17	No offense to bossman, but you seem a little obsessed about your car being a "chick magnet". You've already made a thread on this. Any girl worth keeping isn't going to want to be with you because of what you drive. __________________ Mental Block - '03 Redline 350Z

02-21-2009, 03:31 PM	#9 (permalink)
Namir Track Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: OH and VA Posts: 627 Drives: 09 G37S 6MT Rep Power: 256	Thanks for the review Alan. Were you leasing your 335 or did you purchase it? If you purchased I'm just wondering how easy it was to sell/trade and whether you felt it was good value for a 1-2 year old car. Also, did you have any issues with your BMW while you had it? __________________ Ambition is the path to success. Persistence is the vehicle you arrive in. G37S\|6MT\|PREM\|NAV\|Eibach\|Ichibia\|Injen

02-21-2009, 12:28 PM	#1 (permalink)
alan93rsa Enthusiast Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 412 Drives: 16 Cayman GT4 Red Rep Power: 221	I had an 08 335i 6 speed coupe which I traded for my 370Z touring/sport/6 speed. Both cars red/black. I parked next to the Z when I picked up the car. The 335i has nice clean lines, mine was equipped with the factory aero package. However, the Z just generates more excitement. Z wins. Comparisons: Ride on the highway: The 335i wins hands down, much quieter. A great touring car. 335i wins Ride on the twisties: While the 335i will put a grin on your face the 370Z is an ear to ear smile. Z wins Transmissions: The 335i has a great transmission with smooth easy engagements. After about an hour in the 370Z I couldn't believe how much fun it was to run up and down through the gears. Z wins Stowage: Not even a contest. 335i wins Economy: On cruise at 65-70 mph I could get 30 mpg with the 335i. Same scenario with the Z I get a little over 26. 335i wins Need to take more than one person with you: 335i wins Cabin noise: The 335i was extremely quite. I found myself driving in 5th when I should have been in 6th or more than one occasion. There is no doubt as to what type surface your driving on in the Z! 335i wins Exhaust note: The 335i exhaust was pretty quite. The stock Z exhaust has a much nicer note in the car, I can hear it. Z wins Cost of mods: It doesn't take long to run up a large bill with the 335i. I suspect comparable parts will be cheaper for the Z. Z most likely wins. Cost to add 50-75 hp: The 335i wins this one hands down. If an only car: Depends on how much space you need. Final thought, BMW has been shown of late to be very picky on car modifications of any type. It's like having Big Brother in your hip pocket. Those are my thoughts having owned both cars. Hope it helps. BTW, I am extremely happy with the Z. I'd do it again in a heart beat! Alan

02-21-2009, 02:23 PM	#4 (permalink)
sbkim Base Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: nj Posts: 177 Drives: RRSC Rep Power: 17	Alan - Great comparison - Thank you. How would you compare accerleration between the two cars? I presume they are about equal?

02-21-2009, 02:27 PM	#5 (permalink)
bossman Banned Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Hawaii Posts: 169 Drives: 04 Xterra SE 4X4 S/C Rep Power: 0	women aren't the only important thing.. but you guys can't deny that sex appeal is important. i mean obviously i want myself to win over a girl before she even sees my car, but i mean the way i look at it.. which one would be the icing on the cake? 335i

02-21-2009, 02:37 PM	#6 (permalink)
SoCal 370Z A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: US of A Posts: 2,842 Drives: Answers Rep Power: 34	bossman, Are you interested in purchasing a 370Z, or what? If you were to add up your posts statically you have already made-up your mind on a BMW—that's what you should purchase. Just remember years from now, when you are divorced because the woman that married you, married you for your car that the 370Z would have made your life significantly happier, and without the alimony!

02-21-2009, 04:40 PM	#10 (permalink)
alan93rsa Enthusiast Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 412 Drives: 16 Cayman GT4 Red Rep Power: 221	Follow-up: Sorry, left out the acceleration. The 335i has more grunt down low which is a given. So it is a great car around town. But the Z pulls pretty hard and just feels better going through the range. The sound, the gears the seating just adds up to great package. You feel more involved. On the value side. I ended up with what I thought was a good deal for my car. I believe if were to trade again next year I would NOT lose as much with the Z. In particular considering the economy. My car was a purchase not a lease. What is funny is that my BMW salesman called me this morning wanting to know what kind of car I am buying. It seems that BMW financial calls the selling dealer to alert them that a non BMW dealer has requested payoff information on the account. My salesman was pretty hot to get a ride in the Z. One other item. I have raced with PCA and HSR along with working with a lot of clubs at numerous tracks over the years. I can't wait to get the Z to Mid-Ohio. Never tracked the 335i. It just didn't stir the emotions enough to go through the effort.

02-21-2009, 05:56 PM	#11 (permalink)
sbkim Base Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: nj Posts: 177 Drives: RRSC Rep Power: 17	Ex 335 owner here as well and can certainly attest to values held by 335. Sold my 2007 coupe a little over a year later with 10k miles for $42k which was not too far from the original purchase price. Then again, I sold my 335 in 2007 when the market was slightly better

02-21-2009, 06:37 PM	#12 (permalink)
SoCal 370Z A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: US of A Posts: 2,842 Drives: Answers Rep Power: 34	The problem with this thread is that there is simply not enough data to even make a serious comparison on several levels. The 370Z has not been out long enough to determine residual value, and a slew of so many other factors. Until owners have put some serious miles on the new 370Z, and the known service bulletins crop-up, along with anything else that might yield itself mechanically, there is no real way to start making a comparative analysis about matters. Sure there are the physical dimensions, and other specs, but that's it. Also, this thread is getting to be more about "perceived" status versus an enthusiast take. An enthusiast doesn't care much about such matters as they do about what the car can do and yield to its "owner" and not others.